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The RemoTrees project aims to develop a unique IoT sensor system, enabled with satellite communication and designed to withstand extreme conditions.
The RemoTrees project aims to develop a unique IoT sensor system, enabled with satellite communication and designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Our innovative forest monitoring devices will be based on affordable technologies capable of retrieving key variables in environmnetal/ecological research also in hard to reach forests and under extreme climatic conditions. The RemoTrees system design pillars are:
Our innovative forest monitoring devices will be based on affordable technologies capable of retrieving key variables in environmnetal/ecological research also in hard to reach forests and under extreme climatic conditions. The RemoTrees system design pillars are:
Comprehensive Forest Monitoring: IoT-based system measuring 4 Essential Climate Variables (fAPAR, LAI, soil moisture, above-ground biomass change) and other key forest variables (canopy reflectance/transmittance, sap flow, tree stem temperature and moisture, air temperature and relative humidity, soil temperature).
Comprehensive Forest Monitoring: IoT-based system measuring 4 Essential Climate Variables (fAPAR, LAI, soil moisture, above-ground biomass change) and other key forest variables (canopy reflectance/transmittance, sap flow, tree stem temperature and moisture, air temperature and relative humidity, soil temperature).
User-Friendliness amd Low Maintenance : Easy installation, low maintenance with 6+ months of standalone operation and satellite communication for remote data collection on a web server.
User-Friendliness amd Low Maintenance : Easy installation, low maintenance with 6+ months of standalone operation and satellite communication for remote data collection on a web server.
Extreme Resistance: Waterproof (IP65+) and resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
Extreme Resistance: Waterproof (IP65+) and resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
Cost-Efficiency: aiming at significantly lower market price compared to alternatives.
Cost-Efficiency: aiming at significantly lower market price compared to alternatives.
The RemoTrees sensor devices will be fully characterized (e.g. signal to noise ratio, temperature sensitivity, spectrometer bands spectral range, linearity with luminance level, short and long term signal stability etc.) and calibrated before the deployment in the field. Prototyping include an alpha prototype (lab level) to be improved into beta and gamma prototypes before installation at "Level 1" and "Level 2" forest sites respectively.
The RemoTrees sensor devices will be fully characterized (e.g. signal to noise ratio, temperature sensitivity, spectrometer bands spectral range, linearity with luminance level, short and long term signal stability etc.) and calibrated before the deployment in the field. Prototyping include an alpha prototype (lab level) to be improved into beta and gamma prototypes before installation at "Level 1" and "Level 2" forest sites respectively.
Progress Update (June 2025, Month 18 of the Project)
Progress Update (June 2025, Month 18 of the Project)
During the first 18 months of the RemoTrees project, Work Package 1 made substantial progress in the design, development, and validation of the innovative RemoTrees multi-sensor system for forest monitoring. The main outcomes include:
During the first 18 months of the RemoTrees project, Work Package 1 made substantial progress in the design, development, and validation of the innovative RemoTrees multi-sensor system for forest monitoring. The main outcomes include:
Alpha Prototypes Development
Alpha Prototypes Development
Alpha Prototypes were successfully designed and assembled by July 2024.
The RemoTrees Trunk (RT-T) device was equipped with a multi-band spectrometer, a temperature/humidity sensor, accelerometer for tree stability, a sap flow sensor, and a stem radial growth sensor.
The RemoTrees Radiation (RT-R) was equipped with the multi-band spectrometer and the temperature/humidity sensor
The RemoTrees Soil (RT-S) was equipped with the multi-band spectrometer and the soil temperature/humidity sensor
All prototypes included modular sensor configurations and communication via NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and satellite (Globalstar) connectivity.
RemoTrees alpha prototype production
RemoTrees alpha prototype production
Laboratory Calibration
Laboratory Calibration
Extensive lab calibration (INFLPR, CNR) revealed key areas for improvement in the spectrometer: infrared crosstalk in visible channels, cosine response errors, and temperature-induced signal variability.
Sap flow and dendrometer components were validated by Nature 4.0 using custom calibration protocols.
Irradiance sensors calibration setup of INFLPR CETAL
Irradiance sensors calibration setup of INFLPR CETAL
Redesign and Beta Prototypes
Redesign and Beta Prototypes
A major redesign was implemented for the Beta Prototypes, focusing on:
Reducing IR crosstalk via new optical filters
Improving diffuser alignment and sensor geometry
Enhancing air temperature and humidity measurement accuracy
Upgrading the housing for better usability and future thermal shielding
Communication modules were optimized with support for satellite and 4G redundancy
RemoTrees device Beta prototype installed
RemoTrees device Beta prototype installed
Improved design
Improved design
Beta prototypes demonstrated:
Up to 60% reduction in infrared interference
Improved cosine response consistency
Enhanced temperature stability and spectral accuracy
Five Beta units were fully assembled and partially calibrated by April 2025. Complete calibration is ongoing, with field deployment planned in mid-2025.
Comparison of alpha versus beta prototypes: crosstalk effect reduction due to infrared-blocking filters application
Comparison of alpha versus beta prototypes: crosstalk effect reduction due to infrared-blocking filters application
Next Steps
Next Steps
Finalize full calibration of Beta units
Supply devices for installation at Level 1 forest sites (June-September 2025)
Incorporate user feedback and prepare for the Gamma prototype iteration.
These advancements support the broader RemoTrees goal of enhancing the in-situ component of climate and forest monitoring networks.
Lead
Riccardo Valentini
Riccardo Valentini
Nature 4.0
Contact: rik@nature4.org
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